The Indian Premier League is a marked event in the calendar of every cricket lover in India and thus the auctions ahead of every edition creates a huge buzz among fans in the country.
The IPL auction for its 2019 edition is no different as fans sit down and draw up a list of players their favourite teams need. The mystery and the uncertainty of the event have made it a hit as every auction makes a relatively unknown entity a millionaire in a few minutes of bidding madness.
Although most teams look settled going into this auction, there are a few proven talents and unknown prodigies that could force the franchises to reach deep into their reserves.
Here is a list of 5 names that could go for big bucks in the upcoming auction:
Brendon McCullum
McCullum may not be the same batsman that lit up the IPL in its very first match representing Kolkata Knight Riders but the former New Zealand captain can still pack a punch on his day. Although he did not have his best outing last season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, his experience and wicket keeping ability provides a fascinating option for franchises looking to bolster their top order. KKR might be looking at him with particular interest as it is unlikely that they will have the services of Chris Lynn for the entire duration of the tournament.
Base Price: Rs 2 crore
Lasith Malinga
Another player of the McCullum mould, Malinga brings with him invaluable experience and mentorship ability. The Sri Lankan fast bowler has recently started playing ODIs for his nation again so fitness will not be a worry with him. Malinga is a specialist at the death and will be on the radar of teams like Rajasthan Royals and especially KKR because they need a foreign pacer having released the Australian duo Mitchel Johnson and Mitchel Starc.
Base Price: Rs 2 crore
Sam Curran
Every team will be looking at this youngster from England. He is an upcoming all-rounder who bowls left-arm medium pace and can bat in the lower middle order. The younger brother of former KKR player Tom Curran, Sam burst onto the scene in the Test series against India earlier this year. In that series, he batted England out of trouble on multiple occasions and even won the man of the match at Birmingham for his all-round effort. Look out for a fierce bidding war for the services of the 20-year-old.
Base Price: Rs 2 crore
Shimron Hetmeyer
Hetmeyer announced himself to India in his recent visit with the Windies and his destructive abilities with the bat will attract plenty of suitors in the auction. The left-hander can bat in the middle order and at the top order. He has a strike rate of 108 in ODIs and almost 130 in T20 cricket. At 21, he can be a long-term investment for the franchises. Hetmeyer's reputation and potential could land him a contract that could multiply his base price.
Base Price: Rs 50 lakh
Nicholas Pooran
A destructive left-hand opening batsman from the Caribbean – rings a bell. While Pooran still has a long way to go in order to match the achievements of Chris Gayle, he certainly has the potential to. Pooran has been a spectacular performer in the Caribbean Premier League and is still just 23. Being a wicket-keeper, his presence will also free up a potential spot in the middle order. Mumbai Indians will have a keen look at Pooran given they have released Evin Lewis who used to open for them and so will KKR as they scan potential candidates to replace Lynn in the latter stages of the tournament.
Base Price: Rs 75 lakh
Honourable mentions:
Jonny Bairstow (Rs 1.5 crore)
Jaydev Unadkat (Rs 1.5 crore)
Mohammed Shami (Rs 1 crore)
Axar Patel (Rs 1 crore)
Shivam Dube (Rs 20 lakh)
